Working with Anger and Young People

by Nick Luxmoore

Overview

Understanding the roots of anger and encouraging appropriate and acceptable ways of expressing this are essential skills for anyone working with young people. Working with Anger and Young People warns against 'quick fix' solutions to dealing with anger, and draws on the author's experiences of youth counselling and training workshops to propose helpful interventions for addressing anger effectively and moving on from it.

From attachment anxieties and feelings of powerlessness, to frustration at difficult family relations, Nick Luxmoore considers the common reasons for young people's anger during this difficult stage of their development. Through accounts of his work with a range of young people, he offers tried-and-tested exercises and talking points to help work through common counterproductive responses to anger such as antisocial behaviour and physical or verbal violence. Crucially, he also recognises the needs of those working with these young people with anger problems and provides advice on working safely, maintaining control and achieving job satisfaction.

This sensitive, accessible book will be an informative and engaging resource for anyone working with young people with anger issues.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846425387
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	07/15/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	563 KB

About the Author

Nick Luxmoore was a school counsellor, trainer, teacher, youth worker and UKCP registered Psychodrama psychotherapist. He had over 35 years' experience of work with young people and with the professionals who support them. He worked as the Counsellor at King Alfred's Academy, Wantage, UK.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction. 2. The anger of professionals. 3. Anger as a defence. 4. Anger unexpressed. 5. Anger exploding. 6. Anger, attendance and attachment. 7. Anger and disappointment. 8. Anger and identity. 9. Anger and envy. 10. Anger, violence and empathy. 11. The anger of professionals (again). 12. References. Subject index. Author index.

Editorial Reviews

The author, a psychotherapist, is well experienced in delivering anger management classes to young people and professionals... Written in plain, no nonsense approach, this book is as accessible to professionals as it is to parents keen to help young people channel their rage.'

Child Right

‘This is a marvellous, generous book. Schools are desperate to understand more about anger and I would hope that this book will be read and enjoyed by lots of people working in this context…this book is about anger, but more than that it is about coming alive emotionally, hope in a difficult world, and how radical counselling in schools can be when it touches all parts of the system.'

Oxford Psychotherapy Journal.

This sensitive, accessible book will be an informative and engaging resource for anyone working with young people with anger issues.

Handicap Info

‘I enjoyed this book and will use many suggestions from it.' - www.adoption-net.co.uk

‘An examination of the causes of young people's anger and of ways to support them while maintaining control of the situation and working safely.' - BILD Current Awareness Service

‘From attachment anxieties and feelings of powerlessness to frustration at difficult family relations, the author considers the common reasons for young people's anger at this difficult stage of their development.'

Human Givens Magazine 2006

‘This is an extremely readable book that struck a chord because many young people are faced with the dilemma of managing their emotions while trying to find the time to fulfil their educational potential… It is a sensitive and thought-provoking book written by a psychodrama psychotherapist whose skills might be applied to reach resolutions for some pupils. It would be encouraging to know that the young people who need such support might have access to the expertise suggested. Resolution of such emotional upheaval is time consuming and required a skilled approach. Many young people do not have the opportunity to be heard effectively, resulting in the escalation of their confusion, frustration and anger, the consequences of which could be dangerous. It may be that reading this book and reminding ourselves of the various issues would be a step towards finding a solution for some angry young people.'

BATOD Magazine

The book can be recommended, and is likely to be of considerable interest to anyone undertaking counselling services with young people. It could, perhaps and should, be read by anyone asked to undertake anger management work with schools.

The British Psychological Society

‘This book challenges the assumption that anger management is the solution to anger expressed in unhealthy or unacceptable ways. It promotes instead the concept of listening to and working with anger rather than suppressing it, or managing it down to acceptable levels.

The role of adults and the interactions between adults and young people are described with insight and good humour. I particularly liked the inclusion of the two school caretakers amongst the array of adults and the description of how and why their attitudes mattered. In one of the most insightful passages the author describes the bravery that is required of adults in facing up to the threat of anger and that this is vital to young people. ‘Otherwise they are left with a power which is disturbing - the power to control adults'. When this happens, young people feel unsafe… I recommend this as a resource for all operational disciplines in the prison service. The benefit to those working with young people is obvious, but it would also be a useful read to help understand anger, or disruptive behaviour in any setting.'

Safer Custody News